How Long Does It Take to Detox From Alcohol?

But first, if you think you may be dependent on alcohol, you should consult your doctor or another medical professional. There are many benefits to your health if you cut out alcohol completely. If you think you have a dependence on alcohol or if a trusted family member or friend has mentioned it to you, it’s best to seek help from your doctor when you’re ready to stop drinking. “Alcohol dependency, when not treated appropriately, can result in fatal consequences, so it’s better to have medical support in the process,” Komal Deepak, RDN, cautions.

• Taking charge of your well-being, each step toward a sober existence becomes a stride toward a healthier, happier, and more resilient version of yourself.
• But if you’re committed to sobriety, it’s possible to achieve your goal.
• “The liver has a remarkable ability to heal, and quitting alcohol can reverse some liver damage,” says Dr. Kellog.
• One of the most significant benefits of giving up alcohol is that you may increase your lifespan.
• You’ll have more energy and stamina, and you may notice that your skin looks healthier.

Typically, those who join the sober curious movement don’t consider themselves to have an alcohol abuse disorder — they simply find that periods of sobriety offer more than drinking in moderation might. With new converts boasting increased energy, better sleep and an improvement in reasoning and memory. Known as the “sober curious,” a growing number of people are selectively quitting alcohol. It all began in 2013 with a challenge called “Dry January,” during which participants took a month-long break from drinking following boozy holiday gatherings and rowdy New Year’s Eve parties.

You May Feel Happier

Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. “Quitting alcohol isn’t just about physical health; it’s a profound transformation for mental well-being too,” says Dr. Kellogg.

• This is alcohol withdrawal, and it causes uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms.
• Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group.
• It’s important to remember that setbacks don’t erase progress, and to re-engage with your support systems in order to combat complacency.
• If imbibing one or two drinks every now and then slowly becomes a daily routine, expect the number on your scale to creep up as well.
• If you’re having difficulty sticking to your goal or just want some extra guidance, consider reaching out for professional support.
• That’s because alcohol reduces time spent in the restorative REM stage of sleep, she explains.

Even just one bout of drinking too much may weaken your body’s germ-fighting power for up to 24 hours. Over time, large amounts of alcohol blunt your immune system and your body’s ability to repair itself. If you want to reduce your alcohol use and stop drinking, there is help and support for you.

In the Next Few Weeks

“If you have cancer and you’re worried about it growing then you should stop,” he explained. For the wider population, he emphasized that when you stop drinking, you not only feel better but you also sleep better and your physical health improves. One downside of quitting for some though, he said, could be the social side of drinking and not wanting to feel left out. Severe and complicated alcohol withdrawal requires treatment in a hospital — sometimes in the ICU. While receiving treatment, healthcare providers will want to monitor you continuously to make sure you don’t develop life-threatening complications. Alcohol withdrawal causes a range of symptoms when a person with alcohol use disorder stops or significantly decreases their alcohol intake.

It is still unknown whether these positive effects of abstinence persist beyond a month, but Moore speculated it could be possible. “It’s quite clear that alcohol has a physiological effect on the body, so I’d be surprised if all those effects just wore off,” he said. The team saw these results after adjusting for changes in diet, exercise and smoking, so the changes could be linked to people’s alcohol use. One way to represent the average drinker may be to focus on people who don’t have a history of alcohol dependence.

Legal Conditions and Terms

This article discusses alcohol withdrawal, its symptoms, and potential complications. It also provides an overview of the alcohol withdrawal timeline process and when to discuss https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/tips-to-get-started-on-the-road-to-recovery/ your drinking with your healthcare provider. Studies have shown that after a couple of weeks sober, you start to reduce the damage to your brain and your blood vessels.

After a month, those who refrained from drinking experienced a range of positive health benefits not seen in a similar group of people who continued to drink. On average, the abstainers’ blood pressure decreased by 6%, they lost around 3.3 pounds (1.5 kilograms) and their insulin resistance, which reflects a person’s risk what happens when you stop drinking alcohol of developing diabetes, fell by 25%. Scientists recruited 94 volunteers who were on average 45 years old and asked them to stop drinking for a month. Before the challenge, participants were defined as “moderate to heavy drinkers” who drank around 258 grams of alcohol a week, roughly equivalent to about 18 standard drinks.

Reach out for support

You might encounter feelings of restlessness or irritability around this time. When these feelings come up, it’s a great time to connect with others who are farther along in their journey, whether locally or through online support groups. Seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you’re caring for is experiencing these symptoms, repeated vomiting, severe shaking, or hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t real). In some people, the initial reaction may feel like an increase in energy. But as you continue to drink, you become drowsy and have less control over your actions.